Question

The population growth is generally described by the following equation :
$\frac{dN}{dt}=rN\left(\frac{K-N}{K}\right)$
What does '$r$' represent in the given equation ?

• A. Population density at time '$t$'
• B. Intrinsic rate of natural increase
• C. Carrying capacity
• D. The base of natural logarithm
• E. Death rate

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

A population growing in a habitat with limited resources shows initially a lag phase, followed by phases of increase and decrease and finally the population density reaches the carrying capacity. A plot of N in relation to time (t) results in a sigmoid curve. This type of population growth is called Verhulst- Pearl Logistic Growth as explained by the following equation :
$dN/dt=rN\left(\frac{K-N}{K}\right)$
Where N = Population density at a time t;
r = Intrinsic rate of natural increase and;
K = Carrying capacity.